Chief Butch Carr and Lieutenant Sylvia Chapa

After 11 dedicated years as College of the Mainland chief of police, E.W. “Butch” Carr is retiring.

A Vietnam veteran, he began his law enforcement career in 1971 when he joined the Galveston Police Department, which sent him to COM for training.
 
“In four weeks I was on the streets,” said Carr. “A lot is different nowadays.”
 
Twice a COM graduate, once from the COM Basic Peace Officer Academy and later with an Associate of Arts, Carr worked in narcotics with Galveston County Organized Crime Unit. He later served with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
  
After eight years as a narcotics officer, he chose to become an adjunct instructor for the COM Basic Peace Officer Academy. He became a COM police officer in 1998 and was sworn in as COM police chief in 2003.
 
“We’ve always tried to help others any way we could,” said Carr. “Students are here to get an education. We always try to help them out first. I’m going to miss it. I love this place.”
 
His influence will live on in the department.

“He was very progressive, getting us the tools we need. He treats this department like we’re his family,” said COM Police Lt. Sylvia Chapa. “We’re here to serve the campus community and he’s instilled that in everyone in the police department.”